As gold prices hit a historic high, geopolitical strategist Robert D. Kaplan believes that the rush to hoard gold may indicate that major players are preparing for increased financial instability.

Kaplan is the author of the book 'The Wasteland: A World in Permanent Crisis'. He believes that the purchase of gold by central banks around the world may indicate that they are preparing for capital flight or a deepening economic and political crisis with the United States. He said that hoarding gold often means people are pessimistic about the short-term and medium-term prospects. He added, "This could be a dangerous signal

According to the latest report from the World Gold Council (WGC), central banks dominated the gold market last year, purchasing over 1000 tons of gold for the third consecutive year.

Kaplan believes that in an era marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and the rise of authoritarianism, the world is entering a state of "permanent crisis," and compares it to the fragile Weimar Republic of the early 20th century.

His main viewpoints are as follows:

1. Analogous to Weimar: Kaplan compared it to Weimar, Germany (1919-1933), which was characterized by hyperinflation, political extremism, and economic collapse. He pointed out that legislators have created a system where 'no one can rule'.

2.Interconnectivity: He believes that technology has narrowed the geographical scope, allowing crises to spread across the earth. Kaplan said, "We have reached a point of global integration because technology has reduced the geographical scope, so a crisis in one region of the world can spread on Earth and trigger a crisis in another region of the world in an unprecedented way

3. The Decline of Great Powers: Kaplan believes that great powers are all declining, but at different rates.

4. Conflicts between major powers: He warned that military conflicts between major powers could have a 'real destabilizing impact on financial markets'.

5. Trump 2.0: Kaplan describes Trump as a "world historical figure" who even unconsciously influences history. He expects Trump's second term to be turbulent and could lead to further chaos in the world.

6. Gold as a hedging tool: Kaplan points out that Asian countries hoarding gold is a potential signal of financial instability, capital flight, and deepening economic and political crises with the United States. He also pointed out that the recent surge in purchasing funds is a signal that the market is trying to hedge against geopolitical risks.

7. Instability in Iran: Kaplan predicts that the Iranian regime will collapse within the next four years.